NEWS

Larne RNLI has officially welcomed a new era in its lifesaving service after its new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, Machiko Nancy, was formally named during a ceremony in Larne on Saturday. The vessel, which has been on operational service since February, was dedicated during a special ceremony at East Antrim Boat Club attended by RNLI volunteers, supporters, dignitaries and the families whose generosity helped fund the lifeboat. The naming marks a significant milestone

Portrush RNLI all-weather lifeboat Portrush RNLI volunteers were called to two separate rescue incidents within just 20 minutes on Saturday evening, with three people rescued after becoming cut off by the tide at Dunseverick while another crew recovered a capsized jet ski at West Strand. The back-to-back launches saw both the station’s all-weather lifeboat (ALB) and inshore lifeboat (ILB) deployed following requests from Belfast Coastguard. The first call came at 6.25pm, when

Red Bay lifeboats. (Image: Colin King) A lone kayaker who became stranded in rough seas off the County Antrim coast was rescued by RNLI volunteers late on Sunday night after spending around six hours on the water. The kayaker had set off at approximately 6.30pm on Sunday (July 12) but got into difficulty around one-and-a-half miles north of Cushendun when his kayak became swamped by heavy sea swells, leaving him unable to paddle back to shore. Cold and exhausted, he managed t

RNLB Machiko Nancy, set to be officially named in a cermony next weekend in Larne Larne RNLI’s new £multi-million Shannon class lifeboat will be officially named Machiko Nancy next Saturday, honouring the remarkable woman whose family helped fund a vessel expected to save lives for generations. The lifeboat, which entered service in February, will be named during a ceremony at East Antrim Boat Club at 2pm on Saturday, 18 July. Machiko Nancy replaces the station’s Trent class

Larne RNLI all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy. (Image: Jason Bain) Two paddleboarders have been brought safely back to shore after being found on the Isle of Muck off Islandmagee on Saturday evening. Larne RNLI’s volunteer crew was returning from an earlier emergency call when it received a fresh request from HM Coastguard at around 5.20pm on 11 July. A member of the public had spotted that the paddleboarders were in difficulty and raised the alarm — a decision the lifeboat c

Larne RNLI volunteers rescuing a fishing boat on the Antrim coast. Three people aboard a broken-down fishing boat were brought safely ashore after Larne RNLI launched a rescue operation off the County Antrim coast. The callout on Thursday evening, 9 July, marked the first operational shout for volunteer crew member Andy Purves, who recently joined Larne RNLI. The fishing vessel was found around half a mile north of Portmuck, close to the cliffs, after suffering a mechanical f

Senior RNLI Lifeguard Annie Jagoe A swimmer was rescued from a dangerous rip current on the Antrim coast after getting into difficulty outside the designated bathing area, prompting a rapid emergency response from RNLI lifeguards, the Coastguard and the ambulance service. The incident happened at around 5pm on Monday, 7 July at Portrush West Strand, when lifeguards were alerted by a member of the public to a woman struggling against strong surging waves beyond the red and yel

(Photo: Jason Bain) A fishing boat carrying two crew members was safely brought back to Larne Harbour on Monday evening after suffering a mechanical failure close to one of Northern Ireland’s busiest shipping routes. Volunteer crew from Larne RNLI launched their all-weather lifeboat following a request from HM Coastguard at 7.42pm on Monday after receiving reports that the vessel had broken down at sea. The incident unfolded north-east of the East Maidens Lighthouse, where th

The scene today as Larne RNLI volunteers were tasked to a fishing boat drifting in the shipping lane close to the Port of Larne. (Images: Alex Morris) A small fishing boat found drifting unattended in a busy shipping channel close to the Port of Larne was safely recovered on Sunday afternoon after volunteers from Larne RNLI were called into action. The alarm was raised at 4.44pm on Sunday, July 5, when the volunteer crew of Larne RNLI were requested by HM Coastguard to launch

(L-R) Judy Nelson (RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer), Ruby & Sam (RNLI Lifeguards), Ivor Paul (RNLI Launch Authority), Perry Walton (RNLI Coxswain), Garth Anderson (The Causeway Shantymen Engagement Officer and Event Lead), Chris Millar (The Causeway Shantymen Chairman and Musical Director) Northern Ireland’s coastline will ring with sea shanties, maritime storytelling and traditional music this summer as The Causeway Shantymen prepare to host a major cross-country Shanty Weekend

Portrush RNLI Inshore Lifeboat ‘The Ken Blair’ Two kayakers were rescued off the north coast on Wednesday afternoon after getting into difficulty in the water near Ramore Head in Portrush. Volunteer crew members from RNLI were called into action after reports that two people had ended up in the sea alongside their kayaks just off the popular coastal headland. The incident prompted the launch of the Portrush RNLI Inshore Lifeboat, with the rescue operation unfolding shortly af

A casualty with a suspected broken leg was rescued from a beach earlier today (Monday 25 May) after HM Coastguard Larne and the volunteer crew of Larne RNLI launched a joint emergency response. The incident unfolded in a difficult coastal location where access for ambulance crews was limited and changing tidal conditions created additional pressure for rescuers working on scene. Coastguard teams arrived quickly and worked alongside the RNLI crew to stabilise the casualty befo

Larne RNLI’s new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy Larne RNLI’s new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy was launched for the first time on Sunday afternoon after two crew members onboard a broken-down RIB got into difficulty off the County Antrim coast. The volunteer crew were requested to launch at 2.48pm on Monday 25 May following a call from HM Coastguard after a member of the crew onboard the vessel reported that they had suffered a breakdown w

The RNLI is urging people across Northern Ireland to remember a simple piece of advice that could save their life this summer as warmer weather and the Bank Holiday weekend are expected to bring large crowds to beaches and inland waterways. The charity has launched its annual ‘Float to Live’ campaign ahead of the busy summer season, warning that panic can quickly become deadly if someone gets into difficulty in the water. With thousands expected to head to the coast over the

The RNLI has issued its own urgent Mayday call after new figures revealed its volunteer lifeboat crews across Northern Ireland were launched 235 times in 2025, bringing 214 people to safety, including three lives saved. The newly released data, published today by the lifesaving charity, also shows that 80 of those call-outs took place in darkness, underlining the scale and intensity of demand facing volunteer crews at the region’s 10 lifeboat stations. Alongside the lifeboat

An eight metre yacht with one person on board was safely brought to shore off the Causeway Coast on Wednesday morning, April 8, after suffering engine trouble near the Skerries, prompting a call-out for Portrush RNLI’s inshore lifeboat. The volunteer crew was tasked by HM Coastguard at 11.29am following reports that the vessel was in difficulty off the Skerries, close to Portrush Harbour. In calm spring conditions, with clear skies, good visibility and only a light wind, the

One of the North Coast’s most eagerly anticipated community events is officially back, with organisers confirming that the Portrush RNLI Raft Race 2026 will take place on Saturday 23 May. The much-loved annual fundraiser, which draws rafters, families and spectators from across the area, is once again being staged in aid of RNLI Portrush, with entries now officially open. Organisers say the event is “all systems go” , with extensive planning already under way behind the scene

(Photo Credit: Nathan Williams) Lifeguards will return to the sands of the North Coast this Good Friday, marking a significant double milestone for the RNLI as the charity enters a new season of coastal protection. From 3 April to 12 April , six of the region’s most popular beaches will be patrolled daily between 10am and 6pm . The seasonal rollout coincides with the 25th anniversary of the RNLI’s lifeguarding service across the UK, and a special 15-year anniversary for the s

‘Machiko Nancy‘ – a new £2.7 million Shannon class lifeboat to serve with Larne RNLI (Image: Jason Bain / RNLI) A new £2.7 million Shannon class lifeboat has arrived at Larne RNLI, marking a significant milestone for the County Antrim station as it prepares to replace its long-serving Trent class lifeboat, Dr John McSparran. The state-of-the-art all-weather lifeboat reached Larne at 1358hrs (1.58pm) on Sunday 15 February — timed to coincide with the number displayed on its hu

Judy Nelson (Lifeboat Press Officer RNLI), John Moore (Author), Jane Booth (General Manager White House), Bob Milton (Chair Fundraising team RNLI), Val McDonald (chair of REACH). A new book celebrating the rich social history of Portrush has proved a remarkable success, selling out within weeks of its launch and raising £1,600 for two much-loved local charities. Portrush Reflections, written by local author John Moore, was launched on 26 November last year and had completely